At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead commercial performance in highways and infrastructure projects, driving revenue and profitability.
- Company: Dynamic civil engineering firm focused on growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus potential, company car, private healthcare, and hybrid working.
- Other info: Opportunity to develop your leadership skills and make a real impact.
- Why this job: Shape a growing business unit and influence its direction while leading a high-performing team.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial management within civil engineering, ideally with highways expertise.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
This is a rare chance to take full commercial ownership of a growing regional civil engineering business unit, delivering highways and infrastructure projects across the South.
A Commercial Manager to oversee a £40m regional highways and infrastructure business working for clients including:
- Local Authorities
- Private Developers
- Tier 1 Main Contractors
- National Highways
This isn’t a back-office oversight role. This is about shaping a business unit, setting standards, and leading from the front.
The regional civil engineering arm delivers a mix of:
- Highways new build schemes
- Public realm and urban infrastructure
- Section works and framework packages
- Maintenance and improvement works
Projects range from reactive works through to major schemes exceeding £10m, with a growing pipeline of longer-term, higher-value contracts. The direction of travel is clear: structured growth, improved margins, stronger commercial control.
As Lead Commercial Manager, you will own commercial performance across the Regional Civil Engineering portfolio. Managing a commercial team of 34 staff, you’ll work closely with delivery teams and clients, ensuring commercial discipline, governance and profitability across frameworks and standalone projects.
Key responsibilities include:
- Full commercial leadership of highways & infrastructure projects
- Driving revenue, margin and financial performance
- Leading monthly CVR reviews and implementing corrective actions
- Managing framework-level commercial consolidation
- Strong NEC contract management, including Highways Term Service Agreements
- Risk and opportunity management
- Supporting bid strategy and pricing input
- Supply chain engagement and performance improvement
- Leading and developing a high-performing commercial team
You will be highly visible within the business — influencing direction, strengthening standards and embedding accountability. Expect to spend 3 days per week in the office or on site, with hybrid flexibility where appropriate.
We’re looking for a commercially astute leader from a civil engineering background, ideally with highways experience. You’ll bring:
- Proven commercial management experience within regional civil engineering
- Experience managing highways & infrastructure frameworks
- Strong NEC contract knowledge
- Experience operating as Principal Contractor and/or self-delivery partner
- Exposure to projects ranging from small reactive works to major infrastructure schemes
- Strong leadership capability – developing teams and raising performance
- Degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or similar
- RICS / CICES desirable but not essential
You’ll be confident, analytical, composed under pressure and comfortable influencing at senior level.
What’s On Offer:
- Excellent Salary (based on experience)
- Bonus up to 20%
- Company car or car allowance
- Private healthcare
- Pension & life assurance
- 25 days annual leave plus birthday off
- Hybrid working
- Enhanced parental benefits
- Genuine opportunity to shape and grow a business unit
If you’re a Commercial Leader who wants more than just managing numbers — if you want to influence direction, shape culture and drive performance across a growing regional highways business — this is a serious opportunity.
Commercial Manager in England employer: GirlingJones
Join a dynamic regional civil engineering firm that prioritises employee growth and development, offering a collaborative work culture where your leadership can truly make an impact. With competitive benefits including a generous bonus structure, private healthcare, and hybrid working options, this role provides the perfect platform for you to shape the future of highways and infrastructure projects across the South.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Manager in England
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with industry professionals, attend events, and join relevant groups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Commercial Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Prepare to discuss your past projects and how you've driven revenue and improved margins. Be ready to share specific examples that highlight your commercial acumen and leadership skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or mentors to refine your answers. Focus on demonstrating your knowledge of NEC contracts and your experience in managing frameworks.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We want to see your application and get to know you better. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to shape a growing business unit in the civil engineering sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Manager in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience that match the Commercial Manager role. Highlight your commercial management experience in civil engineering, especially with highways and infrastructure projects. We want to see how you’ve driven revenue and margin in previous roles!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Talk about your leadership style and how you’ve developed high-performing teams in the past. We love seeing passion and personality, so let us know what excites you about this opportunity!
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your experience, don’t just list your responsibilities—show us your achievements! Use specific examples of how you’ve improved commercial performance or managed successful projects. Numbers speak volumes, so if you can quantify your success, do it!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our company culture there. We can’t wait to see your application!
How to prepare for a job interview at GirlingJones
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Commercial Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your understanding of financial performance. Brush up on key metrics related to revenue, margins, and project costs. Be ready to discuss how you've driven financial success in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires strong leadership capabilities. Prepare examples of how you've developed teams and improved performance. Think about specific situations where you influenced direction or implemented change within a commercial team.
✨Understand NEC Contracts Inside Out
Since strong NEC contract knowledge is essential, make sure you're familiar with the specifics of these contracts. Be prepared to discuss your experience managing them and how you've navigated challenges in past projects.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and risk management abilities. Think through potential challenges you might face in this role and how you would approach them, especially in high-pressure situations.
